I knew it would be Victoria.
His youngest daughter crawled to him, but Antonio did not speak. He took hold of Victoria's head and pushed her neck down to his quivering lips. New fangs, like those of Mestiphles, extended and dug into her neck. The bite pierced her flesh as Victoria cried out in pain, yet she did not attempt to move away. Her blood escaped into Antonio, and Victoria reached for her father's wrist. She had observed Mestiphles well. Where the magician had gone Antonio did not know or care. His will was not his own. Instinct and power defeated them both. Victoria dug her nails into him and made tiny gashes dripping with blood. Antonio bit farther into the gashes and generated a rich flow of red.
Victoria convulsed and sucked harder. The exchange grew painful for Antonio, and he pushed Victoria away. Her convulsions slowed as she gently lifted off the ground and into the air.
Elizabeth and Stephen watched Victoria go above the bonfire's light and into the darkness. Power, born on the wind, Victoria swooped down beside James and landed softly on her feet. Her black hair held a new otherworldly shine, and Victoria’ s hazel eyes spun with all color hues instead of just greens and browns. Her skin was whiter, and no scar showed upon the bitten neck.
* * * *
Samantha looked on at these creatures masquerading as her sister and Father.
This cannot be good. They are feasting willingly with demons! This is against nature. Surely, Mother would agree?
Ann came to Antonio and cradled him toward her neck. The fangs dug into her, and Samantha winced more than Ann.
Guilt and sadness pierce my heart like those fangs cut the flesh! Great new piercing eyes, but they are all blind.
"Mother!"
Samantha looked to Stephen. He looked on excitedly, wild and brutish, but James gave no facial expression. Antonio ripped open his shirt and clawed at his chest. Ann had become like a feline—she licked the wound, and the mysterious change immediately took place. Her hair glistened in an absent sun, and her skin whitened to match Antonio's.
Samantha heard a dress rustle, and Elizabeth brushed by her. Not to be out done, his wife kneeled down and pushed Ann aside. Elizabeth put her head to Antonio's open chest wound and drank like a nursing pup. He in turn took her wrist and dug into the gliding joint. The transfusions completed, and a whiter Elizabeth stood. She took a few steps and smiled. The limp in her leg was gone. Elizabeth laughed joyfully and pranced around the fire. Stephen jumped up and joined her.
Antonio turned his glassy eyes to James and Samantha. James approached Antonio hypnotically. Samantha looked away, and the evil overcame James. Antonio danced behind Stephen and traded him for the dark powers as well. His sons were now part of his sinister pride.
He dropped Stephen to the ground, but Elizabeth pulled him to his feet. They twirled again and rose lightly off the ground with each turn. Elizabeth and Stephen laughed, and Antonio smiled with them. Samantha looked at the scene before her with disgust and confusion. Only she remained pure.
Antonio wiped the mixed bloods from his chin and walked to Samantha. He did not have far to reach her, but she had nowhere to get away from him. Antonio extended his hand to her, but Samantha remained still. He withdrew his hand and grabbed Samantha by her arms. Her head jerked back as Antonio bit into Samantha's nape and sucked out her life force.
"Why?” Samantha gasped for breath and reason.
Antonio laid her on the ground, and Samantha felt hot liquid hit her lips. She squeezed her mouth closed, but Antonio spoke to her.
"You must drink, or you will die.” His voice was loud and shattered her eardrums. Blood dripped onto her white dress drop after echoing drop, as if each trickle marked her seconds past the point of no return.
"Then let me die. I don't want this demon coursing through my veins."
Antonio held her chin and forced his wrist to her mouth. The dark magic rushed in and took over her. She resisted and tried not to swallow, but Samantha choked and instinctively opened her mouth for air.
"No!"
Antonio moved away, and Samantha's eyes welled. The new tears streamed down the soft porcelain face—leaving a dark red stain she dabbed at with pale fingers.
Blood.
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Chapter 14
The moon was high, and Gaston looked at his reflection in the dark water. The dark outline of a human figure mingled with the moon's wiggling reflection, and Gaston turned. The shadowy figure waited in the chill atop the waterfall. A strong breeze blew the mass of hair and dress to the side.
Victoria!
He hurried through trees and steep rock, huffing and puffing though he knew the rocky path. “Why are you up here?” Gaston controlled his breath, but Victoria remained silent. She kept her back turned to him, and Gaston grabbed her arm.
"Victoria?"
Light came forth, from Victoria it seemed. He saw the twirling eyes, white skin, and pink stained teeth, but did not remove his hand. “What is this?"
Victoria only shrugged.
Gaston grew angry. “What do you mean?"
"We are all like this now.” Victoria shrugged again. “A visitor. A fire. An exchange."
"You are all like this? Your mother? James? Even Antonio, with this devilry?"
Of course, it was in Antonio that he was really interested.
"It happened to him,” she said. “Then he changed all of us. Magnificent."
Gaston couldn't let Antonio use dark tricks to strengthen his position.
I must know.
"What is this change?"
Victoria put out her hands, and Gaston cautiously took hold. Part of him felt compromised. Was this trickery? Victoria was there. Her touch, however, was detached, distant.
So cold.
She smiled and pulled them up into the air. They jerked to a stop, Gaston panting with exasperation. They were so high. He felt empowered beyond any of his petty rebel rousing. He thought he touch the moon. Victoria's smile grew, showing new sharp teeth. With no effort, she let them lightly drift back to the mossy ground.
"Can Antonio do this?” Gaston needed information. “How is it done? Tell me. I must know."
Victoria pushed Gaston's head to the side and bit into his neck.
* * * *
William guarded the entrance to the rebel hideout. Of his loyalty there was no doubt, but his hunting and fighting skills had greatly improved under Gaston's tutorship. There were footsteps, and William stood ready to defend his trust. Gaston approached him, and the boy sighed.
"This is Victoria.” Gaston pulled the young pale girl behind him forth. They walked by William, and Victoria smiled. He blinked and looked closer.
Were those teeth?
Gaston walked into the large cavern, and everyone assembled around him with whispers.
"Look at his hair."
"Look into his eyes."
"His skin is whiter."
"He looks more powerful."
The crowd hushed, and Victoria sat near Gaston's natural podium. Sarah stood to the side and eyed Victoria with an angry glare. William gulped.
"My good friends,” Gaston began. “I have been changed."
The crowd murmured.
"It was a good change. I am more powerful than before, and I can pass this power on to you.” Gaston looked briefly at Victoria, then continued. “Strength, speed. We will use this power to take our enemy and burn him to the ground. I promise you we will tromp upon Antonio's ashes!"
The crowd roared and clanged their swords.
Victoria jumped up, but Sarah held her back.
"Gaston, you promised!"
His eyes glowed red. “Did you think that I would stand idly by with this power at my fingertips?"
Victoria's silent demure broke. “You said you would take your friends away. You have the power to go somewhere else and start your own rule. I've traded secrets with you. Now leave my family alone."
"Why make the trek to a fictitious land when I can take it right here and now
? You will either sit down and shut up, wench, or get out!"
Victoria backed out of the cave but tried to keep her composure under Sarah's watchful eye. William stepped up, ready to defend his sister. Gaston smirked.
"Let her bring back Antonio to us! We will be ready with this power! We will continue our victories and hand Antonio the final blow. Soon, we shall prevail!"
* * * *
Antonio carried the lantern high over his head as he walked down the dark, cold stone steps to the old dungeon under his castle. Ann followed him and tried to duck a cobweb.
"Do we really have to stay down here?” She pulled the fine silk web out of her hair.
"At least until we find a better place.” Antonio waited for his family at the bottom of the twisting staircase. In darkness they must all now remain.
Elizabeth stepped onto the soft dirt and looked around as far as the dim light would allow.
"This could be fixed up,” she said, voice laced with dull optimism.
Stephen wiped the dust from his shoulders. James coughed at the tiny particles irritating his throat, and Samantha patted his back. Antonio lit the torches on the walls, and Victoria circled down the steps.
"Father, I need to discuss something with you."
"We will clean it up. It's not so bad."
"No, not that..."
There was a clang and bang of a door, and Mestiphles came from the darkness with a torch in his hand.
"Excuse me, my dear.” Antonio handed Victoria the torch and walked to Mestiphles. “Yes?"
"Not here."
They entered through a rotten wooden door, and it creaked loudly. Mestiphles shut the door and put his torch on its wall mount.
"Someone just went into the sun and is now a pile of ashes. You can reclaim the sunlight in one hundred years—not before."
"We are all here and safe.” Antonio worried, then frowned. “What have you been up to?"
"Not any of you,” Mestiphles said restlessly. “Some rebel followers made by your dear Gaston."
"Gaston?” Antonio's frown deepened. “How did he receive the dark powers?"
"Victoria gave it to him."
"Victoria?” He put a hand to his chin. “How do you know this? Why didn't you go make Gaston yourself? Lots of rebels with mean streaks. Just your taste."
Mestiphles wiped a clump of dust from the warped wood mantle above the barren fireplace. “Victoria is no fool. She doesn't like to lose, and you are losing to Gaston. Victoria intended to join him."
"What is she doing here now? Is this part of her betrayal?"
Conspiracy!
"Gaston betrayed her. Victoria intends to tell you the location of their hideout. Oh, he is so like you!” Mestiphles piped sarcastically.
"Be silent,” Antonio ordered plainly. He revealed a touch of regret. Killing his family? No, he saddened over the loss of the one who could have been his ultimate apprentice.
"I looked for him. I sent out party after party, but even as a child, he was swift enough to elude me. He is my firstborn son, Mestiphles. Why do we have to be enemies?"
For once, Mestiphles was sincere. “For questions like that, He above could help you more than I."
"I don't think He is listening. I never thought He was listening.” Antonio wiped his face quickly then sighed. “What can we do now?"
Mestiphles’ charming self returned. “I will show you how to prepare."
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Chapter 15
Gaston stood just inside the cave, but the other rebels sat huddled below in the cavern. Any lingering ray of sunlight that shined through the trees and into the tunnel sent the pale people shuffling closer together.
"Gaston.” Sarah approached him, her warrior paint clearly defined against her changed skin. “The light burns us. Come back inside."
"The sun has fallen."
He cautiously stepped from the cave's cover, and Sarah sighed with relief. William hurried from his rock stool and joined them. Gaston turned to his followers as they exited slowly behind him.
"Why should we wait for Victoria's betrayal?” He asked them. “Let us go on the offensive and crush Antonio. Let's burn his domain to the ground!"
The crowd roared and charged off into the woods.
Sarah dared to hold Gaston's elbow. “Gaston, why don't we go away?"
"Never."
* * * *
The sun set over the castle, and the front door opened. Antonio stepped out first and wiped his dingy shirt. Ann and Elizabeth tried to squeeze out the door at the same time, but the victor, Elizabeth, gave Ann a sideways look. Mestiphles followed the women and approached Antonio while Victoria stood by the door and yawned. The men stared at the darkening horizon.
"They did do some things right up there.” Mestiphles nudged his foot around in the dirt, then smacked Antonio on the back. “Let me know how it turns out."
"Won't you be here with us?” Antonio hadn't tested his new powers beyond hunger. Would they give him the advantage or send his family to ruin? Mestiphles couldn't leave them just yet.
"I'll be around.” Mestiphles remained serious. “This is your screw up. You couldn't keep your skirt on. You fix it."
They shook hands, then Mestiphles turned to the woods and slowly dematerialized into the darkness.
Stephen rekindled the bonfire as they took their first meal together. Sheep would do for the time being. James tossed another sheep carcass on the burning pile. The sun was set, and their bonfire smoldered in the shadow of the castle.
"Should we be saving the wool?” Ann stood at a safe distance from the men with Samantha.
"Vampires,” Samantha mumbled.
"The cold is no longer a threat to us.” Antonio carried another carcass and dropped it on the pile.
"How long will we keep drinking up all the sheep?” Stephen prodded into the fire with a stick.
"Father said this is survival food,” James reiterated.
"You should become used to it,” Antonio instructed, but enjoyed this time with his sons. “There will be some days when it will be all you have. You'll learn to balance the hunt soon enough."
"Why couldn't we just send for the soldiers?” Victoria nudged a hoof with her boot.
Elizabeth sat to the side of the fire, silent, but she raised her head and turned to the woods. Her maternal instinct still dominated her senses. Antonio dropped a dead sheep and approached her. “What is it?"
"Do you hear that?"
He tilted his head, and his eyes widened. They were keen now, and Antonio spotted the small balls of light dancing through the woods.
"Elizabeth, get inside,” he said. “Ann, you do the same."
"Victoria, James.” Elizabeth took them by the shoulders and led her children to the castle.
Ann clapped her hands. “Let's go, children."
"We can handle it, whatever it is,” Stephen declared against his mother's smothering.
Antonio turned to the castle, but Samantha did not follow his lead. The young girl stood still in the firelight.
"Chance it, Samantha.” He gently grabbed her arm and nudged her toward the castle. She fumbled along with her father. They entered quickly and shut the castle door behind them.
"James, get the swords from the vault. Stephen, bring the shields. Ann, Elizabeth, light every torch you can find.” Antonio looked at Victoria and Samantha. “You two are staying with me."
* * * *
Antonio stood behind the castle door. He watched the folly through the door's tiny view window. The rebels banged on the walls and clanged their swords against the hard stone. Elizabeth stood by the stairs with a small sword in her hand, and James leaned on the railing with a broadsword and a shield. Stephen jabbed at the air with his sword.
"Let them in, Father."
"No.” Antonio turned to his family, ready with his sword. “Remember, fire or beheading. ‘Tis death to them and us."
Samantha sat on the bottom step with a dagger on her lap an
d her face in her hands. Victoria, however, snickered and held her dagger tightly. Ann eyed the sharp edges on Stephen's sword and looked at her own small sword.
"Antonio."
The rebels banged on the door, and the wood above the bolt splintered. Samantha ran up the stairs, and Elizabeth backed onto the steps. Ann looked at her sword again and approached the steps.
"We may all die this night.” She climbed onto the stairs, but Elizabeth took another step back. “But if I die, at least I will have killed you first!"
Elizabeth turned and ran ahead of her once so-called sister; Ann followed maliciously.
"Antonio!” Elizabeth cried for her husband.
Antonio grabbed Victoria and raced up the stairs. Stephen and James were quite capable, unlike his daughters. Tonight was about protecting his family, not pride. If that meant an end to Gaston, so be it.
"Samantha!” He called after his eldest daughter. “She cannot be left alone. That girl is a danger to herself."
"Herself? So!” Victoria hurried with him.
* * * *
Gaston zoomed out of the woods behind his rebels, but the faithful vampire William was on his heels. Gaston stopped, and William tripped behind him.
"Dammit boy. Put your head up your own ass!"
The marauders circled around the bonfire and William raised his sword in the air. Where they may have been weak and poor rebels, now they were hungry—blood hungry. Gaston stepped into the light of the burning carcasses. “Are you in there, Antonio?"
He turned to his rebels. “Look at him! Hiding from us in his grand castle! Burn it down to its rotten dungeon!"
The rebels charged with swords and wooden clubs and torches of fire.
"Remember,” Gaston said, “Antonio and the traitor Victoria are mine!"
The rebels hacked until the door broke down. They rushed into the castle. A burning torch rushed toward James, but he put his shield up and jabbed with his sword. Stephen stood beside the door and stuck out his foot. A rebel tripped over his leg and fell to the floor. Stephen pounced upon him and drove in his sword.
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